55 gal tank middle brace

singold · 08/29/2008, 11:13 PM

Can I cut out the top center brace on a 55 gal tank to avoid lighting barrier, or is it necessary for support?

DustinLH00 · 08/29/2008, 11:25 PM

This is ABSOLUTELY necessary for support. I have a 55 gallon setup and the first tank I bought had a cracked center support and the gentleman at Petsmart convinced me that it was just there to hold the hoods and was not necessary. I took the tank home, glued the center support back together and started filling with water after it cured.

As soon as the tank was full, the brace cracked again, and let me tell you that I have never seen glass bend that much, but it was the scariest sight ever. Water immediately started leaking from the silicone sealed edges. I figure in about 30 seconds I would have had a floor full of 55g of water. Luckily I had a friend there to help me get it drained immediately.

singold · 08/29/2008, 11:47 PM

Thanks, figured that might be the case. THought it may have just been for the hood lights, but makes since I guess for support.

marioensf · 08/29/2008, 11:48 PM

You may BUT install a glass brace, this one has to be thicker and use the proper silicon, ask around for advise in the DIY forum. If the bracket is thin and wide, a piece of plexi attached with nylon screws might do the trick, some of bowfront owners have done it because it blocks light.

Tswifty · 08/30/2008, 12:15 AM

You can replace them... but honestly I don't think it would be worth it on a 55g tank.

I've seen people cut them out and replace them with clear acrylic, because they don't like the shadow cast by the original brace.

Like I said... can be done, but wouldn't mess with it for a 55g tank.

singold · 08/30/2008, 01:27 AM

Thanks for above responses and thoughts. Tswifty, you amaze me with your graphs, charts, and detail on various posts. The visual always helps.

Aqua Keepers · 08/30/2008, 02:09 AM

Go with t-5's=no shadow

08/29/2008, 11:13 PM	#1
singold Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lake Saint Louis, Missouri Posts: 1,827	55 gal tank middle brace Can I cut out the top center brace on a 55 gal tank to avoid lighting barrier, or is it necessary for support? __________________ "If there is no wind.....row." Current Tank Info: 75gal Reef w/29gal Refugium

08/29/2008, 11:25 PM	#2
DustinLH00 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ottawa, IL Posts: 98	This is ABSOLUTELY necessary for support. I have a 55 gallon setup and the first tank I bought had a cracked center support and the gentleman at Petsmart convinced me that it was just there to hold the hoods and was not necessary. I took the tank home, glued the center support back together and started filling with water after it cured. As soon as the tank was full, the brace cracked again, and let me tell you that I have never seen glass bend that much, but it was the scariest sight ever. Water immediately started leaking from the silicone sealed edges. I figure in about 30 seconds I would have had a floor full of 55g of water. Luckily I had a friend there to help me get it drained immediately. __________________ Dustin - Now, if I could only get back the money & time that I had before I found Reef Central... Current Tank Info: 55 gallon FOWLR -- 1 Ocellaris Clown, 1 Four Stripe Damsel, 2 Yellow Tail Damsels and 1 Pencil Urchin

08/29/2008, 11:47 PM	#3
singold Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lake Saint Louis, Missouri Posts: 1,827	Thanks, figured that might be the case. THought it may have just been for the hood lights, but makes since I guess for support. __________________ "If there is no wind.....row." Current Tank Info: 75gal Reef w/29gal Refugium

08/30/2008, 12:15 AM	#5
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	You can replace them... but honestly I don't think it would be worth it on a 55g tank. I've seen people cut them out and replace them with clear acrylic, because they don't like the shadow cast by the original brace. Like I said... can be done, but wouldn't mess with it for a 55g tank. __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

08/30/2008, 01:27 AM	#6
singold Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lake Saint Louis, Missouri Posts: 1,827	Thanks for above responses and thoughts. Tswifty, you amaze me with your graphs, charts, and detail on various posts. The visual always helps. __________________ "If there is no wind.....row." Current Tank Info: 75gal Reef w/29gal Refugium

08/29/2008, 11:48 PM	#4
marioensf Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 2,502	You may BUT install a glass brace, this one has to be thicker and use the proper silicon, ask around for advise in the DIY forum. If the bracket is thin and wide, a piece of plexi attached with nylon screws might do the trick, some of bowfront owners have done it because it blocks light.

08/30/2008, 02:09 AM	#7
Aqua Keepers Moved On Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Clearwater,Fl Posts: 2,915	Go with t-5's=no shadow